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Chicago Lakefront Trail: A Self-Guided Bike Tour

About this experience

This self-guided bike tour traces Chicago's reinvention from the ashes of the Great Fire to the skyline that rose in its place, pedaling the Lakefront Trail with Lake Michigan on one side and the city's icons on the other.

The route begins near Navy Pier and rolls through Museum Campus, past the Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, and Field Museum. Buckingham Fountain and the towering Willis Tower come next, followed by Millennium Park's Cloud Gate — Chicago's beloved "Bean." A quick pass through the Loop takes in the Chicago Theatre, State Street, and Union Station before crossing the Chicago River. Stories of the Great Fire and the innovators who rebuilt the city play through your headphones the whole way.

Perfect for first-time visitors, casual cyclists, and anyone craving a fresh angle on the city. Download the VoiceMap app and enter the ticket code from your confirmation email to start riding.

At a glance

  • Duration: 1 hr–2 hr
  • Private experience

What is included

  • Directions to the starting point so that when you're in the right place, the tour will start
  • Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
  • The VoiceMap App for Android and iOS

Not included

  • Smartphone and headphones
  • Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
  • Food and drink
  • Transportation
  • An in-person guide

Itinerary and highlights

Pass by Navy Pier, built in 1916 as a shipping and recreation hub before training WWII sailors. Today it draws millions with its historic Centennial Wheel, shops, gardens, and skyline views. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

Cycle past the Field Museum, a natural history museum holding over 24 million artifacts, including Sue, the most complete T. rex skeleton ever found. Built for the 1893 World's Fair. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

Bike past the Adler Planetarium, America's first planetarium, opened in 1930. See its historic Zeiss projector, the Atwood Sphere, and nearby immigrant memorial statues. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

Ride past Millennium Park, home to Cloud Gate ("The Bean"), the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, and Wrigley Square. Built atop a former rail yard, it's Chicago's modern cultural showcase. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

Pedal past Chicago Union Station, a grand 1925 Beaux-Arts rail hub designed by Daniel Burnham's firm. Its Great Hall has featured in films like The Untouchables. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

Cycle past Daley Plaza, home to the untitled 50-foot Cor-Ten steel "Picasso" sculpture, gifted in 1967. The plaza hosts farmers markets and civic events year-round. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

Bike past Buckingham Fountain, a 1927 gift to Chicago modeled after Versailles' Latona Fountain. Its jets soar 150 feet, with light-and-music shows on summer nights. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

Ride past Grant Park, "Chicago's Front Yard," built atop rail lines and named for Ulysses S. Grant. It has hosted Lollapalooza, Taste of Chicago, and Obama's 2008 victory speech. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

Pedal past the Ogilvie Transportation Center, a commuter rail terminal on the site of the historic 1911 Chicago and North Western Terminal, designed by architects Frost and Granger. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

Meeting and pickup information

  • Start your tour at the Divvy Bike Hub in Addams Memorial Park, Chicago, across the street from Lake Point Tower Condominium. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

Languages and tickets

  • English — Audio
  • English — Written
  • Mobile Only

Tour operator

  • VoiceMap Audio Tours

Accessibility and practical details

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • The total tour time includes walking the route and passing by the attractions

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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